1.     The Best Catholic Writing, 2007 (Loyola Press) - "So let us go, then, you and I, and forge a new thing. We do not know its shape, but we know the astounding idea at its heart, the idea that has driven the Catholic clan through two thousand years, the idea that remains, I believe, the key to the moral evolution of the human race, the idea that fell again and again from the lips of the gaunt, dusty man with starlight in his veins: love, love, love, love." ~from the "Introduction"

by Catholic writer, Brian Doyle                                                                                         Cost: $15

2.    "Catholic Update" - An educational and inspirational resource from St. Anthony Messenger!

Each four-page issue, exceptionally well-written by a variety of well-known Catholic authors, explores a key aspect of our Catholic life and heritage, including titles like In Search of the Real Mary, Do Catholics Worship Images?, The Communion of Saints, Raptured or Not?, and 10 Top Reasons to Be Catholic.

                                                                                                                                      Cost: $6

3.      Experience Jesus Today (OCP Publications) - "This book hopes to awaken in you a burning desire to search, to contemplate, to listen and put into practice the Word of the One who reveals God's tenderness and offers it as a gift to all the peoples ofthe earth. This book plans to introduce you to the joy of knowing Jesus the Son and ofliving in his presence a whole life

offered in love ... " from the Introduction                                                                           Cost: $8 -limit 5 copies

4.     "Exploring the Sunday Readings" (Twenty-Third Publications) - A beautifully written guide to the Sunday readings, month by month. Catholic writer Alice Camille gives us simple, thought-provoking commentaries that go straight to the heart of the readings, along with practical, challenging questions for reflection and discussion. She includes an action suggestion for each week's Scripture message, along with a Question of the Week for each Sunday to guide us in making sense of the readings in our own lives.                                   
                                                                                                                                       Cost: $1 per monthly issue

Maryknoll Magazine - Embark on a new journey each week using the 100+ yr.old Maryknoll Magazine as your guide! Be inspired by the vision and work of Maryknoll Missioners past and present. Be enriched by stories of those they live and work with, serve along side of and learn from throughout the world.                                              
                                                                                                                               Cost: Donation to Maryknoll per monthly issue

6.     Raising Faith-Filled Kids: Ordinary Opportunities to Nurture Spirituality at Home (Loyola Press) "Welcome to a series of discussions of Raising Faith- Filled Kids ... Odds are that if you picked up this book, you care deeply about your child and you want your child to know the benefits of having a strong and living faith. That's a perfect and wonderful place to start. Realize that God has called you to this moment. .. " p. 7                Cost: $15 includes book and Discussion Guide for each person

7.      A Well-Built Faith: A Catholic's Guide to Knowing and Sharing What We Believe (Loyola Press) - Enjoy "digging into" this gem of a book that includes chapters with titles like "Who's the Boss: Scripture and Tradition", "Using a Laser Level for Alignment: Worship and Liturgy", "The Welding Process: Sacraments of Initiation", "Walkie-Talkies: Forms of Prayer." Short, easy-to-read chapters and a well-written Leader's Guide that includes meaningful discussion questions.  

                                                                                                                                            Cost: 10.00

8.      "Cheerful Note-Writers" Gather with others who want to spread cheer by writing a "Get-well Note", a word of "Welcome" or a "Thinking About You" card to those in our community!

Note: These small groups will be self-directed. Participants will decide together how you want to share any leadership roles, where best to meet downstairs with your group, etc. (There will be an easy-to-use written "Guide" available to help you, if needed, during those first few weeks.) Flexibility and an openness to the Spirit are certain to come in handy as we begin! It is my hope that we can have FUN as we learn more about the Catholic way of life and share faith together!

Beth Rademacher, Faith-Sharing Coordinator, 822-2101

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“Faith-Sharing Sundays” Calendar for 2008-2009

“Learning the Catholic way of life together.”

            August 17, 24 and Sept. 7, 14 and 21

•  Faith-Sharing Room OPEN with new materials to view and registration forms available. Stop by!

• Faith-Sharing Notes for August~September ’08

            September 6, Saturday (and repeated on Oct. 25) – VIRTUS Workshop. See p.3  

            September 21 – “Catechetical Sunday” (Donut Sunday)

September 28 – “Faith-Sharing Sundays Kick-Off!” ~ Refreshments after mass

          October 5 – Oktoberfest! 

October 12 – “Faith-Sharing Sundays” begins!

            8:30am – Coffee and cocoa time

            8:45-9am - “Family-led Gospel-storytelling and sharing”

            9:05am–10am – Small group learning for children, 1^st-8^th grade

            9:05-9:25am – Mini-Adult Enrichment time

                        (10:15am – Donuts after mass today!)

            October 19 (Donut Sunday) - MEA Weekend - No Faith-Sharing activities today     

          October 25, Saturday – VIRTUS Workshop.  See p.3

October 26

November 2 - Theme: All Saints and All Souls Day!

November 9

November 16 (Donut Sunday)

November 23 – Theme: Advent Preparations!

          November 29 (Saturday) – “Church’s New Year’s Eve Party” after 5pm mass    
            or “Las Posadas” celebration in Dec., with Sagrado Corazon: TBD                             

            November 30 (Thanksgiving Weekend) - 1^st Sunday of Advent                                             
                       No Faith-Sharing activities today

          December 7 - No Faith-Sharing activities today (Bake and Boutique Sunday)

December 14 - 3^rd Sunday of Advent

            “Las Posadas” celebration with Incarnation and Sagrado Corazon families sometime before Christmas? TBD

           December 21 - 4^th Sunday of Advent.  Prepare/practice for annual
                        “Christmas Eve Family Mass” before mass at 8:45am                    

            December 24 (Wednesday) - Christmas Eve Family Mass

          January 4 – Annual Epiphany Sunday Pageant!
                         Preparations before mass at 8:45am (Donuts after?)                    

January 11

January 18 (Donut Sunday)

January 25

February 1

February 8
         February 15 – No Faith-Sharing activities today (President’s Weekend)        

February 22 – Theme: Preparing for the Lenten Season!

March 1 (First Sunday of Lent)

March 8

March 15 (Donut Sunday)

March 22

March 29 - Theme: Preparing for Palm Sunday/Easter 

          April 5 – Annual Palm Sunday Procession!  Preparations before mass at 8:45am

            April 12 – Easter Sunday

April 19 (Donut Sunday)

April 26

May 3

Sometime during the above 3 Sundays, we will:

·         have our last Faith-Sharing Sunday

·         celebrate First Communion

·         enjoy an end-of-the-year Potluck Brunch?

·         Also, First Communion families will gather for a 2^nd child/family session prior to First Communion Sunday on a Sat. morning or an evening…

Additional topics to be included during the year:

·        “Safety Unit”: 1 class period for 1-6^th grade; 2 classes for 7/8^th graders.

·         1^st gathering of children who are preparing for First Communion and their families  

Information about VIRTUS

Many of you, especially those with children, have seen details about the Archdiocesan program for the “Protection of Children and Youth Initiative.”  The Archdiocese has asked that all who work or volunteer with children under 18 years of age attend a VIRTUS workshop, as well as have a background check completed and on file in the parish office.  All of Incarnation’s parish staff has completed their background checks, as well as most volunteers.  This includes adult small group leaders with Faith-Sharing Sundays.

This year, we are encouraging  ALL adults to participate in a VIRTUS workshop!  This excellent 3 hour workshop is  designed to educate and better equip all of us with  knowledge needed to help keep children safe. It  combines in-depth video material with facilitator input and large and small group discussions.

For those of you who are new to the parish or are volunteering in new ministries that bring you into contact with children under the age of 18, you will need to attend a VIRTUS workshop this fall.  We have scheduled two workshops that will take place here at Incarnation.  The dates and times are listed here and will be on our parish website calendar.  To register for one of these sessions you may go directly to:  http://www.virtusonline.org or incarnation-church.com for a link to the VIRTUS online registration.  If you do not have internet access, call Deb, the parish Secretary, 612-822-2101 and she will register for you.  Thanks.

VIRTUS Workshop at Incarnation Church of the Incarnation

Saturday, September 6th                   9AM-12PM                          Parish Center Dinning Room

Saturday, October 25th                     9AM-12PM                          Parish Center Dinning Room

More sessions will be added based on participant need.  Please check your calendar to see which of the workshops you will be able to attend.

Contact: Beth Rademacher, Faith-Sharing Coordinator, Church of the Incarnation

612-822-2101; brademacher@incarnation.com.   3817 Pleasant Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN  55409

“Faith-Sharing Sundays” 2008 – 2009

“Learning  the Catholic way of life together.”

Your family’s last name: _____________________________________________________________________

Parent(s) names: __________________________________       ______________________________________  

Address: __________________________________________________________________________________   

Home phone: __________________________________   e-mail: _____________________________________

Mom’s cell: ___________________________________   Mom’s work: _______________________________

Dad’s cell: ____________________________________   Dad’s work: ________________________________

Children

Name                                                 Grade                          Eucharist                    Reconciliation          Confirmation

                                                                                                        (Please check the sacraments your child has received)

_______________________________          _____                                    ______                                    _____                                 ____

_______________________________          _____                                    ______                                    _____                                 ____

_______________________________          _____                                    ______                                    _____                                 ____

_______________________________          _____                                    ______                                    _____                                 ____

Fee:  $20/child with a $60.00 limit/family.  If your child is a 1^st or 2^nd grader, kindly add $15/child for additional materials as they prepare for First Communion.   Thank you.

“Faith formation…is more than a subject to be taught – it is an invitation to a way of life.” Joe Paprocki, The Catechist’s Toolbox, p.6

“…Faith is not lived at the parish.  The parish itself is not really the goal of the Gospel.  Faith is lived at home.  It’s also learned at home, as the church’s own documents repeatedly point out.”  Bill Huebsch, Whole Community Catechesis, pp. 56-57

Faith-Sharing Notes ~ August/September ’08

Learning the Catholic way of life together!

 Faith-Sharing Sundays

 Beautiful NEW MATERIALS await our eager minds and hearts!

A comprehensive new Religious Education curriculum for children, youth, parents and parishioners will permeate our Faith-Sharing Sundays this coming year!  How exciting!  Finding God: Our Response to God’s Gifts from Loyola Press is beautifully written and designed to help all of us-children, parents and parishioners grow in prayer and faith.  Each grade level (1-6) covers the five themes of God, Jesus, The Church, The Sacraments, and Morality, and also includes awesome units on “The Year in Our Church” and “Prayers and Practices of Our Faith.”

7^th and 8^th graders will be using Finding God materials designed especially for them.

A Warm Welcome!

If you are new members of our community with children in k-8^th grade, we hope that you will consider joining our Sunday Morning Faith-Sharing Families and Others this fall!  This family-centered Religious Education Program includes refreshments, listening to Sunday’s Gospel story as a large group, grade level classroom time, and time for parents and all parishioners to learn and grow. 

            Please call or e-mail me with any questions, or stop by our Faith-Sharing Room after mass most Sundays beginning August 17 to chat, view materials and register!

 First Communion Preparation

Please note that children in the 2^nd grade (and those older who wish) will be preparing throughout the year to celebrate their First Communion in the spring.  Because of this, your family’s participation on Sunday mornings throughout the entire year is required.

Registration

Registration forms have been sent out via e-mail to those families who were part of our Faith-Sharing Sundays last year.  As noted above, everyone is welcome to stop by our Faith-Sharing Room Sundays after mass to chat, view materials and register.

“Faith-Sharing Sundays Kick-Off”

 Sunday, September 28 after mass.  Watch for details!!!

 “Faith-Sharing Sundays” begins October 12.

 Confirmation

 Confirmation and beyond!

Currently, teens in our parish prepare for the sacrament of Confirmation for a one year period, Sept.-May, every other year.  This year, we will not be offering preparation for Confirmation.  Instead, our community looks forward to the involvement of our fifteen 9^th and 10^th graders who, in May of this year of our Lord 2008, confirmed their desire to continue learning and living the Catholic way of life.

RCIA

Are you or someone you know thinking about joining the Catholic Church?  Baptized but never Confirmed?  Call or e-mail Beth Rademacher, Faith-Sharing Coordinator.

Adult Education & Enrichment

Faith-Sharing Sundays

Are you looking for

• a rewarding and fun Adult Enrichment & Educational opportunity?
• an opportunity for involvement? for service? 

Come join us on Sunday mornings this fall

as a Classroom Leader in our Faith-Sharing Program!

As a classroom leader, you can count on:

• working with a fun new curriculum;
• a flexible time commitment;

• lots of support and encouragement;
• deepening your own faith as a Catholic Christian;
• and the gratitude of our community for your willingness to help us nurture the Catholic way of life in our children and young people!

Feel free to stop by the rectory to share a cup of coffee and view the new curriculum and wonderful Catechist Guide weekdays (T-Th, 9-3pm) or on Sundays after mass in the

Faith-Sharing Room!

Thursday Mornings

This come-when-you-can group of lively adults meets downstairs after morning mass to study Scripture, reflect on the Catholic way of life, and share knowledge, opinions, questions and answers on a wide variety of topics.  Please join us any time!  8:45-10am beginning Oct. 23.

Contact person?  Beth Rademacher, Coordinator of Faith-Sharing, 612-822-2101   brademacher@incarnation-church.com          Office hours: T,W, Th – 9am-3pm & Sun. morning

Church of the Incarnation, 3817 Pleasant Ave. S., Minneapolis, MN   55409

“Faith formation is more than a subject to be taught – It is an invitation to a way of life!”

Joe Paprocki, The Catechist’s Toolbox, p.6

 “Every child has two Catholic schools: their home and their parish community!”  K.R.